Lavender Vinegar

Maybe you are wondering what in the world you are going to do with lavender vinegar and… it’s a fair question. But hold your scroll for just a minute. If you weren’t already aware, vinegar is great for cooking, but it’s also a fantastic tool to keep around your humble homestead. This sweet-smelling vinegar can be used by chemical-free mamas and do-it-yourselfers alike for many things like lavender vinegar cleaner or a chemical-free laundry softener.

Have you ever tried lavender-infused flea spray? There are so many lavender vinegar uses, and each may be best with a different kind of vinegar, so let’s break it down real quick before moving on to the good stuff.

Lavender Vinegar Uses

The scent of the lavender flower, be it a fresh sprig in the summertime or dried buds from last year’s harvest, is bold enough to mask strong odors (like vinegar) yet beautiful enough to tempt internal bliss with just one whiff (maybe even call you back for a second or third)— making lavender is an excellent companion for vinegar.

Here are a few things you can do with your lavender-infused vinegar.

Lavender Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner

Lavender is antimicrobial, and vinegar is a well-known all-purpose cleaner. Lavender vinegar cleaner leaves surfaces clean and streak-free, and it’s excellent for removing soap residue. You can use lavender vinegar cleaner on counters, floors, and even glass. And because of its antimicrobial properties, you can also use this cleaner in your bathroom and kitchen. The whole room will smell amazing when you’re done.

Simply mix up a 1:1 ratio of lavender vinegar and water and add it to a spray bottle. For a tub and shower cleaner, try adding some dish soap to your cleaning sponge or magic eraser along with your lavender vinegar cleaner. This combination works great to remove hard water stains and soap scum. No harmful chemicals are needed!   And for a better natural glass cleaner, you can mix a 1:1:2 ratio of lavender vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water.

Lavender Vinegar Laundry Softener

Lavender vinegar naturally removes soap residue and the minerals found in hard water, making your laundry soft and lavender-scented, again, without harsh chemicals. Unless you use a plant-based and all-natural fabric softener, it is usually toxic and, in any case, costs too much!  Use your lavender vinegar as an alternative by adding one-quarter cup of your mixture to the end of your wash cycle or fabric softener tray. For a more aromatic lavender aroma, you can add a few drops of essential lavender oil to your vinegar as mentioned in the recipe below.

Lavender Vinegar Hair Rinse

Lavender is excellent for the scalp and skin all by itself, and when mixed with vinegar, it can help pamper your scalp and leave your hair soft and nourished.   The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of lavender help soothe the scalp, relieve itching and redness, and even eliminate fungus resulting in soft, shiny hair and a healthier scalp. Plus, lavender has been proven to slow down hair fallout and promote hair re-growth.

To use your vinegar as a hair rinse, mix a 1:1 ratio of lavender vinegar and water and pour it over your hair. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing and towel drying. You’ll want to avoid getting any vinegar mixture in your eyes, as it will burn.

Lavender Vinegar For Fleas

When infused in vinegar, lavender can repel fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks. It WILL NOT kill them, but it does a pretty good job keeping them at bay. Use a 1:1 ratio of lavender vinegar with water in a spray bottle. This mixture works for pets as well as around the house.

Lavender Vinegar for Culinary Purposes

You can use your favorite vinegar for this pantry staple, like balsamic or white wine vinegar. Feel free to try it out in various dishes, but it does make a lovely vinaigrette.

**Please do not add lavender essential oil to your vinegar if you are using it for culinary purposes UNLESS you make sure it’s food grade.

For a simple lavender vinaigrette mix you’ll need:

• 4 – tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 – tablespoons of lavender vinegar (vinegar of choice)
• 2 – tablespoons of honey
• a teaspoon of sea salt
• a teaspoon of whole grain mustard
• 1 – clove of garlic

Whisk together and sprinkle over a salad.

Vinegar Options

You might want to consider what you will be using your lavender vinegar for before deciding on the type of vinegar you want to use.  Pretty much any kind of vinegar can be used, but there are a few things to consider when making a choice.  The three main factors to think about are cost, smell, and taste.  While the lavender scent does override much of the “stink” of vinegar, some kinds of vinegar are better left in the kitchen while others make better cleaners.

Here are some best use practices:

• Lavender white vinegar – cooking, laundry, and deodorizing
• Lavender apple cider vinegar (ACV) – cooking, skin, hair, bath and pets
• Lavender white wine vinegar – cleaning, cooking, laundry, deodorizing,
• Lavender balsamic vinegar – cooking, salad dressing

How to Make Lavender Vinegar

Just a few notes…This recipe makes a robust lavender vinegar concentrate— most often you will want to add water to it. If making cooking vinegar, use half the amount of lavender.

The color of your vinegar may be darker than what is shown.

You will need:

• 2 – quart-sized jars with a ring
• A pint-sized jar; three-quarters of the way full of fresh or dried lavender buds
• Enough vinegar to fill a quart jar
• 6” X  6” square of wax paper
• 6” X 6” square cheesecloth
• A funnel
• Lavender essential oil (optional)
• Bottles for storage
• A stirring spoon

Step 1: Pour the lavender buds into the quart-size jar.

Step 2: Add one pint of vinegar. Add up to 20 drops of essential lavender oil here if you wish.

Step 3: Stir the lavender buds around for a minute to immerse them into the vinegar.

Step 4: Add enough additional vinegar to fill the jar to the top.

Step 5: Add wax paper to the top of the jar and seal with the ring (this is an important step to keep the ring from creating rust.)

Step 6: Place the jar in a sunny window for six weeks.

Step 7: Remove the jar from the window and replace the wax paper with the cheesecloth.

Step 8: Pour the lavender vinegar through the cheesecloth into your clean jar.

Step 9: Mix with the appropriate amount of water and divide into desired containers.

Step 10: Store in a cool, dry place. Mixtures should last up to one year.

What is your favorite way to use herbal vinegar? Share in the comments below!

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